RCMP warn of rental scams on Kijiji website
Homeowner found his house for rent on Kijiji
Rental scams on Kijiji website have popped up in Grande Prairie
Grande Prairie RCMP are warning Albertans to be ware when using online sites to find rental property.
Police report that they received a call from a Grande Prairie resident after he found his house that he owns and lives in, for rent on Kijiji. Recently police have been notified about a number of other similar scams involving residential property fraudulently listed for rent in Grande Prairie and on Kijiji.
The scam has be a consistent one, the person advertising the home for rent tells the potential renter that he/she lives out of Canada and are looking for someone to rent their home until they return. After an exchange of e-mails, money is eventually requested and sent by electronic means to secure the rental. It is only when the renter shows up at the property that they learn that they have been scammed.
Usually the money sent is gone for good. The RCMP are not able to investigate the incidents as the unknown person or persons have been tracked to Spain and Africa.
Corporal Roy Kennedy says for that reason, they are warning the public to be aware of the scam and to use caution when using internet sites to purchase anything.
- When buying or selling, you should meet in-person to see the product and exchange funds. Meet in a public place with many people around, such as a coffee shop.
- Never send or wire money to sellers or buyers. This includes never mailing a cheque or using payment services like PayPal, eBay Motors Purchase Protection Program, Bidpay, Western Union or Money Gram to pay for items found on Kijiji.
Also, there are options on Kijiji that if you are aware of a scam or fraud that you can notify Kijiji and they will attempt to remove the add.
Category: Alberta
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
